About

Monomyth: The Hero’s Journey

Spend a morning with us at FirstOntario Concert Hall and watch the HPO in rehearsal. This is a fantastic opportunity to give your students a behind the scenes look at the inner workings of professional orchestral life.

Enter through our stage door, and get a glimpse of backstage before joining us in a conference room to learn about what you are about to hear. Music Education manager, Megan Benjafield, will provide a brief introduction to the HPO and the concert program so that students know what to expect from the day’s rehearsal.

After learning about the pieces, schools are escorted to the first balcony where they have the opportunity to watch a rehearsal in progress from the best vantage point in the house. We have a microphone set up so that students hear the feedback the conductor is giving to the orchestra, and get an opportunity to see first-hand how that feedback then sounds in the orchestra.

Our rehearsal experiences are available on a first-come, first-served basis. We can accommodate a maximum of 50 students. Please click here to request your rehearsal experience.

One of his more well-known works, Beethoven’s 3rd Symphony is the highlight of this concert. The Eroica offers a glimpse into the heart and mind of the composer, with the famous re-naming of the symphony after Beethoven’s disillusionment with Napoleon. This symphony is a standard classical 4 movement symphonic form with a Sonata Allegro movement, slow movement, scherzo and trio and then closing Sonata Allegro. The 2nd movement, the funeral march, is particularly famous, and students will likely recognize it from film and more. 
 
In addition, Overture by modern Polish composer Grazyna Bacewicz, exposes students to more modern orchestral sounds, textures and timbres. The listening skills your students can gain by being exposed to new compositions cannot be underestimated.  
 
Our guest conductor, Alondra de la Parra is an award winning, internationally renowned conductor. She can serve as an inspiration to many of your aspiring young conductors!


Please note: Our bookings are based on the planned rehearsal schedule. Students may not see all repertoire being rehearsed, and the repertoire is subject to change without notice.